Operation Gallic Grope - part 1

Back in 2017 - but still in 1979 if you see what I mean - there began the NATO counteroffensive through the Kakstadt Gap.  The outline and first stage of this series of games can be found here:
Kakstadt Gap part 1
Kakstadt Gap part 2
Kakstadt Gap part 3
Kakstadt Gap part 4
The US breach of the border defences was followed up by a British heli assault on the village of Kakstadt Ost:
Relief on the border part 1
Relief on the border part 2

Having secured a flank it was time for the exploitation attack to go in.  This took the form of two French Arnoured Regiments (battalion size) with French and West German sir support.  They were to take the railway line, establish contact with the Paras in Kakstadt Ost and secure the tractor factory, advancing as far as the canal.
Warpact forces were thought to be a very battered East German Motor Rifle Regiment and some scattered border guards.
I commanded the French while Bertrand led the Commies.  As usual I'll let the photos tell the tale.

Luftwaffe Tornado on a recce mission

 The French armour assembles

 French Jaguar on a recce mission

 The high-tech DDR rail yard

 It's the East, so there is of course a tractor factory...

 The DDR SAM site warms up

 The Stasi radio detection detachment continues to scour the airwaves for any NATO special forces

 The first French air strike - Mirage III and F-100D

Warpact air was also in action - this Czech L-39 has consistently been the only Warpact aircraft which hits anything.

 More worrying was the MiG-21 flying top cover

 This rather nice Allouette was keeping an eye on the left flank

 The French trundle briskly forward

 Kakstadt Ost was soon reached and a liaison team detached to chat to the Paras.

 The DDR Commissars skulked in their distant HQ.

MiGs await a new mission.  Or spare parts.